.

.

Female fans normally know more facts about what’s going on than men do anyway. I’d say they’re a more intelligent fan on top of that. They normally know more about what we’ve done than we know about what we’ve done. --- Tony Stewart

.

There are female fans who take apart engines and will take you apart if you have a problem with that; who are drawn to the danger and mystery of the sport; who watch races on TV to witness pure passion and unscripted emotion; who love the camaraderie of these family-friendly festivals; who feel the nervous anxiety of the lip-biting wives atop the pit boxes. --- Andrew Giangola “The Weekend Starts on Wednesday”

Friday, July 31, 2015

Fans get a first look at the NASCAR Fanatics' Trackside Superstore on July 31, 2015.
Credit: Beth Reinke for Skirts and Scuffs

Credit: Beth Reinke

The excitement was palpable as the first group of race fans bustled into the NASCAR Fanatics’ Trackside Superstore at Pocono Raceway on Friday morning. Employees passed out bright green cloth totes and answered shoppers’ questions.

Kevin Moser, from Lancaster, Pa., attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with his wife, Beth and their daughter Katelyn, and the family enjoyed being part of the initial group of shoppers.

Moser browsed in the “Future Stars” apparel section where T-shirts for Alex Bowman, Cole Whitt and Darrell Wallace Jr., among others, were on display. He was happy to see shirts for guys like Brett Moffit and Jeb Burton.﻿﻿
﻿﻿

Credit: Beth Reinke

“Usually you didn’t see the lesser drivers or the lower-dollar teams represented where they had the trailers,” he said. “This is great!”

In addition to the up-and-coming drivers area, the superstore includes a Women’s Shop and a Kids Corner. There are ladies’ items such as earrings, scarves, pajamas and glitzy lanyards. Or fans can grab a gift for their favorite wee fan. Fun kids’ items include onesies, bibs, toy cars and black and white pennants kids can color themselves.

Katelyn Moser, 23, purchased a bucket hat, and was impressed with how clean and organized the stores were. She liked being able to hold items in your hands and inspect them, instead of peering at them from afar while waiting in line.

“You really get to see the variety,” she said. “You can hold shirts up to you, so it’s a little more interactive.”

Fans can find their favorite drivers’ stores quickly by spying the large marquis sporting the drivers’ photos. For some teams, such as Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, driver stores are grouped together. Other teams, such as Penske, still offer merchandise in souvenir trailers for now.
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿Despite the tie-back walls, which can be closed when it rains, the Fanatics’ Superstore has the feel of a brick-and-mortar establishment.

“It’s like shopping at a department store for all your favorite NASCAR stuff,” Beth Moser said. “The variety and selection is really huge.”

Martin Truex, Jr., who spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and interacted with fans, said he constantly gets tweets asking where to get his hats and T-shirts. He never knows where the trailer he shares with other drivers will be located at each race, so this simplifies things for everyone.

“It seems more modern and just a nicer area to be in. There is shade, there is a little bit of air flow,” he said. “I thought it was a really cool atmosphere out there. It should be fun for the fans. I think they are going to enjoy it."